§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals or birds were imported into the United Kingdom through London, Heathrow Airport in each of the years 1973, 1974 and 1975; how many of these were found dead on arrival, and how many were dying or maimed; and what action is being taken to deal with these breaches of IATA regulations governing such traffic.
§ Mr. StrangThe numbers of animals, poultry and other birds imported into Heathrow Airport in the years in question were as follows:
Year Animals Poultry Other Birds 1973 … … 13,110 273,383 * 1974 … … 84,519 129,653 * 1975 … … 97,954 161,151 206,264 * Not available. I regret that there are no official statistics available concerning the mortality and casualty rates among imported animals and birds.
It is the responsibility of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to deal with any infringement of their regulations. Veterinary staff of my Department have co-operated with IATA in the introduction of their regulations and are active in promoting proper and full observance.
Apart from any action taken by IATA, the transport of animals or birds by air under conditions likely to cause unnecessary suffering is an infringement of the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973. The Corporation of London, which is responsible for the enforcement of this Order in relation to animals imported into London Airport, will prosecute in any case where the evidence and the circumstances so warrant. I understand that proceedings have been commenced in one recent case and that summonses have been issued in a number of others.